Paper Promo Promotes Prints and Printing

Dimensions was a quarterly publication of the Simpson Lee Paper Company founded in Vicksburg, Mississippi, to demonstrate different types of paper and different properties of paper. Akin to Bradbury Thompson’s Westvaco Inspirations, Dimensions differentiated itself by the themes selected and the execution thereof. Today and tomorrow, I’ll show two exemplary issues.

The first, from Spring 1962, is titled “Prints From Many Objects,” edited, art directed and designed by William Stone with illustrations by Frederick Ashby (alas neither names are familiar to me). The object as stated in the brief introduction is “Prints can be made from almost everything . . . or anything. The texture and shape of an object transfers when inked and the results are often astounding. . . .” They’re made from everything from household utensils to vegetables. Here they are:

About Steven Heller

Steven Heller is the co-chair of the SVA MFA Designer /Designer as Author + Entrepreneur program, writes frequently for Wired and Design Observer. He is also the author of over 170 books on design and visual culture. He received the 1999 AIGA Medal and is the 2011 recipient of the Smithsonian National Design Award.